(Hey guys, I know this chapter is late but I have a good reason for that. As you all know fall is coming, or is here and some of you might be reading while doing school assignments or looking for something good to read. I know things can get stressful during this time for people. Some more than others, but please know that nothing good will come from over worrying or getting too stressed. Trust me I know what you all are going through, maybe not exactly but still. You can help too by showing the people of Ukraine solidarity during their time of need.

As you all no doubt are aware, there have been rumors of this site shutting down, but I checked with reliable sources and found that they are going to update the site to current year conditions.

Reminder: I would like to remind you all about the ideas that popped into my head during my hiatus and it's everything listed under "Undetermined" or "Challenge" in my page is yours to pick if you want to write. I'm available for advice if you wish to proceed as such. I am encouraging everyone, to write if you want to. Let me know in an PM after you find an idea that you want to write so I can help you with it. They are all on my profile page and are awaiting you to look at them, please look at them after you read this chapter and review it.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Pokémon or Beast Wars they are the properties of their respective owners.
The fox-like Maximal, Foxfire, is an OC Maximal made by Stone-Man85 in his "Beast Wars" story. Please look at his story if you get the chance.

"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Communications"
"COMPUTERIZED VOICES."

Please Read, Review, and Enjoy)


A storm approached the region of Kalos quickly, as one of the many lightning bolts hit one of the hill tops, it exposed a number of Energon, causing the Pokémon in the area to scatter. Optimus Primal and Absoltron, who came because of his Poké mode's ability to sense when danger nears, looked and activated his Commlink, "Optimus to Command center, scrub the mission!"

After getting nothing but static, Optimus yelled again, trying to get through, "Command center do you read me!?"

No response… whatever this storm is, it was affecting the comms worse than usual. And it did not appear to be lightening up anytime soon… Absoltron, however, was frozen on the spot as he faced in the direction away from the mainland, off to the distance. And he could sense a great amount of danger coming from the direction it came from.


At the Maximal Base, Rhynox was putting final touches on Survey Posts, scanning devices that help keep track of Predacon energy signatures, which had been modified with a certain technology of this planet, as they all went and compacted themselves into puck size devices. Rhynox sighed commenting, "That does it. Survey posts are ready for duty."

Looking over his shoulder to Ratitrap, Rhynox asked, "Any word from Optimus or Absolutron?"

"Nah, not a flicker, dis storm is trashing the comm-links worse than usual, even the human comm-systems are messed up, and that's without being weirded out by the Danger Detector." Ratitrap reported. He looked up from one of the external cameras showing the effects of the storm as well as he listened to some radio chatter from humans.

Airblazor looked out into the weather and remarked, concern evident on her face, "I hope nothing bad happened to them…"

Meanwhile Kabubot placed a device on a table, Its legs extended and then magnetically clamped it to the table, especially considering how he was working on it, "This mission is too critical to be interrupted by minor variation of weather."

Cotton-Buns looked perplexed by that claim, and asked, "You call that minor? Most of the Kalos Region is being affected by it."

Kabubot didn't answer her. Before he was looking for something, and demanded, "Who took the synchro-laser!"

Most Maximals looked around before Cotton-Buns found it and said, "Foxfire's got it."

Foxfire, blinked, "Huh?"

Foxfire hed been out of it since Ash forced the other humans and Pokémon out of the base… especially Serena and Fennekin. But the incident with the power plant really seemed to have made things worse for her. She had become very distracted most of the time.

She stared at the tool in her hand and said absently, "Oh… sorry."

For her to not speak over formally as she usually does was concerning for most of the Maximals.

"Allow me." Cheattor gently took it as he then went, elbowing Kabubot out of the way, and touched the synchro-laser to the device as it began to beep. Which caused the magnetic anchors to deactivate, sending the bomb away.

Kabubot growled and grabbing Cheattor by the Liepard's head on the younger Maximal's chest, "Why you hyper little.." started Kabubot. But soon everyone's attention was on the bomb as it was about to fall down the open lift.

"The bomb, watch out!" Ratitrap and braced himself for the explosion but nothing happened.

"Lose something, little cat?"

Everyone turned and saw Optimus and Absoltron standing there with their leader holding the bomb in the latter's hand.

"Some sort of trouble?" Optimus asked, a brow raised while idly tossing the bomb on his hand. Seeing that the bomb was intact, Kabubot let go of Cheattor.

"Hey Big Bot, Big Cat." Cheattor greeted, bumping Kabubot out of the way as he walked over to the two, "We're just locking down the big ba-bang here."

"One last adjustment and… there!" Cheattor said as the adjustment was made with a notable click. He told them, "We're set to blast that Predacon base back into orbit, as space debris!"

The bomb started to shake causing the others look in fear while Cotton-Buns hid behind the table, pulling the still absent-minded Foxfire with her. The bomb's magnetic clamps suddenly flipped crazily in and out until they seize up in a gasp of smoke. An electrical charge zapped Cheetor. He squealed as he nearly dropped it, but it calmed down letting them breathe a little.

Optimus shook his head as he said, "Put it to bed, we're stalled."

His crew, well those who didn't see the outside as clearly as he and Absoltron did, had their reactions.

"What!" Kabubot exclaimed shocked by this.

"You're kidding!" Ratitrap .

"Say what?" Cotton-Buns asked, confused.

"What are you talking about?" Rhynox asked, as confused.

"It's that bad?" Airblazor asked, concerned.

"Huh?" Foxfire asked turning her attention to Optimus.

"Hey it's just a crossed quasar circuit! I can fix it!" Cheattor said, trying to get Optimus to see that the mistake was fixable.

"It's not that, Little Cat." Absoltron told him, "The storm outside will hit us within the hour and it is very bad out there."

Cheattor on the other hand wasn't worried. "An hour? not a problem fellow beast, I can out-run anything the skies can dish, especially with my Agility."

Cotton-Buns looked unconvinced as she switched one of the screens to a news coverage talking about the storm, "Continuing our story of the storm that meteorologists call the 'Storm of the Century', since the storm in the Orange Archipelago a year ago, the raging effects have been located to be at the center at Hoenn. The effects of which can be felt from the Kalos region all the way to the Kanto, Johto, & Sinnoh regions. What we are able to understand is that the Legendary Pokémon Groundon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza have begun an intense battle near Rustboro City. All in the Kalos Region are advised from Lysander Labs to stay inside or the nearest Pokémon centers until further notice. Everyone from citizens to Pokémon trainers are advise to not go outside for severe rain, intense winds, and random lightning."

Optimus just looked at Cheattor and asked, "Wanna try again?"

"Can we not just use the Teleport device instead?" Foxfire asked, looking to her leader.

Optimus shook his head, "The storm is affecting all kinds of frequencies especially those needed for the gate, Foxfire."

Lowering her head she said, "Oh…"

Airblazor looked at her younger friend and said, comforting her with a hand to the younger female's shoulder, "Good try though, sweetie."

Seeing no other forms of resistance, Optimus approached the younger Maximals, "Sorry you two, it's too risky for anyone to go out there right now. The placement of those survey posts must be thoroughly calculated to avoid contact with any underground Energon deposit or Pokémon habitats under the surface while also not drawing the attention of the humans to us."

While Foxfire considered her leader's words, Cheattor however pushed Optimus' hand off his shoulder, "We're not some newly hatched cubs, Big Bot. Foxfire and I are both considered teenagers on this planet. We can do this! Try having some faith in us for once. What happened to Ash won't happen to us!"

That was the final straw, as Optimus said, sternly, "As much as you prefer to think so, this isn't about you. And I will not risk anything like that happen again, especially when lives are on the line."

That didn't make Cheattor feel any better as he went and turned to Kabubot and tossed the bomb to him, which the Predacon-turned Maximal caught, and stormed away.

Everyone watched him go, Kabubot didn't share same opinion as Optimus, but spoke, while he walked over to Optimus, still holding the bomb, "And does it matter if we blow some Energon or Pokémon, maybe it will take some Predacons with it. That is what we want isn't it? It might even be justified payback for Ash and his companions leaving us." said Kabubot as he was right next to Optimus. However, hearing about Ash and his group leaving, caught Foxfire's attention.

Optimus knew that this was coming and he was ready for it, though he was angry that Kabubot brought up the children again after they had left, "This mission Kabubot is to gain tactical advantage by taking out their base. Defeating them does not mean we have to annihilate them. You seem to have trouble understanding that especially considering that we don't know how many Pokémon or Humans are in the blast radius of the bomb."

"What I understand is this, if situations were reversed, Megatron would spare the base and annihilate us, all of us Cybertornian, Pokémon, and Human alike. That is why Ariadosus had targeted Ash, to make that point across for us to understand that anyone who sides with us in war is not safe." Said Kabubot, making some of the other Maximals glare at Kabubot for bringing what happened to Ash up again. Rhynox shook his head knowing how Optimus still blamed himself for what happened to Ash.

Optimus seeing how focused Foxfire had been in this conversation, and Kabubot bringing up Ash, let out a frustrated sigh, "This eagerness of yours to scrap Megatron is clouding your judgement!"

"We are at war Optimus, WAR! I think it is your judgement that is clouded. Perhaps if you had taken war as it should have been taken then maybe Ash would have been spared the torture that he suffered at the pincers of Ariadosus in the first place!" Kabubot growled, slamming the bomb in the Maximal leader's chest as he stormed out of the bridge, reverting to Poké mode as he did.

Optimus watched him go before glancing at Foxfire who left as well. Before he could stop her, Ratitrap spoke, taking one of the post-pucks in hand, "Optimus, these are scanning relays, and with the camo-tech we got from some team… something-or-other… we can plant them down and get them without exposing us to any more humans."

"Easy for you to say Rat-face, you never liked Ash and the others being around here in the first place." Cotton-Buns snapped, stomping on his foot before going to his room. As he hopped on one foot, he continued, "My point is all they're supposed to do is detecting nearby energy signatures, right Rhynox?"

"I agree with Optimus on this one. Seeing how saturated with Energon this planet is, it is a very unknowable variable." Rhynox voted, gently taking a puck and putting it back with the others telling him, "We gotta be careful."

Optimus silently thanked Rhynox for his support, but turned in the direction of the where Kabubot, Foxfire, and Cotton-Buns went and remembered how the departure of Ash and his friends had made them all feel as though the base wasn't as lively as usual, even the usual squabbling between Ratitrap, Cotton-Buns, and Kabubot. The most recent encounter and Ash trying to actually attack them really shook them up, especially Foxfire.


Cheattor was in his room still fuming about what happened between him and Optimus. Hearing footsteps and not even bothering as he said, "Come in…"

Hearing the sounds of it being only one of the people he knew he asked, "You here to cut my tail for almost frizzing that bomb, Kabubot?"

"No. I am here to say that you have my confidence that you can fix it as well as plant the survey posts before the Storm makes it to our current location." Kabubot stated to Cheattor.

Cheattor looked down and muttered, "Well, you're about the only one who thinks so."

"Actually… I am not." Kabubot moved out of the way and Foxfire came in. Cheattor was shocked to see her there, actually agreeing with Kabubot of all bots.

"Cheattor I believe that we can both beat the storm and get the survey posts positioned before the storm can reach us. And with the storm of this intensity, no Human or Pokémon would be able to discover us." Foxfire stated looking at him.

"Do not let what Optimus said dissuade you. To him, you are both mere children acting out because of how your friend experienced a traumatic event and as such cannot do such an important task." Kabubot stated, "Like you said, he doesn't have any faith in either of you."

"Yeah well, Fox and I can show him a thing or two." Cheattor shot back, glaring at Kabubot's words.

"Then let us show him that thing or two." Foxfire approached, making Cheattor shocked.

"What?"

"You have mapped every discovered, but hidden, Energon deposit found within five-hundred meters without alerting the humans to your presence and the land speed plus the Agility technique your Poké mode has is about unequaled without being an electrical-type or being trained as such. And with the keen observation of Foxfire, you both are about the only ones who could pull off this mission." Kabubot spoke, stroking Cheattor's ego.

Cheattor's face lit up at how that sounded. Had a sly smile on his face as he and Foxfire went out to get the Survey posts without anyone noticing. Unaware of Kabubot's own devious smirk.


On one of the lifts Cheattor, with Foxfire on his back, lowered down to the ground before he said, "Hold on tight fox, because I'm about to launch."

And using Agility, Cheattor began running out from the formerly functional ship and made off to put down the first survey post. Foxfire held on with her forelegs around his neck. If it wasn't for the churning clouds and rumbling thunder, Cheattor would feel himself blushing at this moment.

After getting to the first location to put the post, the two teens transformed into Robot mode while Cheattor pulled out a post from an internal storage area under his Liepard head. Pressing a button on it, the puck uncompacted itself into a fully-formed fitting post where Cheattor and Foxfire worked together to get the post into the ground, the metal wedge digging in as to keep it from flying anywhere. With the post put in place, Foxfire pressed a series of buttons before a hologram went around it making it look like it was one of the rocks near the pile.

"Ultra gear." Cheattor said, smiling at her.

They changed back into Poké mode and got ready to run, when a bolt of lightning hit near them. The force of it sent both to the side as Cheattor groaned. Foxfire then stated, "That was… more than expected…"

Cheattor, still not ready to give up, looked at the sky and shouted, "Is that supposed to scare me?!"

Only for the lightning to flash again, making Cheattor whimper, "Yup…"

And ran out of there with Foxfire on his back again.


After making their way to where Optimus and Absoltron had previously been, Cheattor stabbed another post there. Foxfire went and activated the holo-imager to make it look like it was a part of the landscape and uninteresting to humans.

They then raced down to get to the next and hopefully last stop. As Cheattor raced, his sensors picked up a chasm, and he said, "Foxfire I know I said this, but hold on tight!"

"Why?" She then got the same alert and with a yelp held on as tightly as possible to Cheattor who used as many agilities as possible before jumping.

After finally making it, Cheattor pulled out the survey post and said, "Last one."

"Brilliant." Foxfire said smiling, watching, as he flipped it like a coin while it uncompacted itself in the air, for Cheattor to grab hold of the hand bars. Just as he was about to push it in, a bolt of lightning hit nearby, causing him to let go as it flew out. Foxfire tried to catch it, but it flipped out of her reach and embedded itself onto the ground and revealed Energon underneath. It also made the post go on overdrive, energizing it to its full capability and beyond.

Foxfire groaned as Cheattor helped her up as he stated, "I hope no one notices…"


Lysandre watched the final progress of the Giant Rock forming above the sea between Kyogre and Groundon, which was proven true when Rayquaza appeared, watching with bated breath for what he needed for his ambition to become realized.

He then got a private call on his phone and asked, "Yes?"

"Sir, it's me. While overlooking things in my lab I detected an unusual signal coming from this location." The voice of one of his scientists, Xerosic said, revealing a hologram of a signal. The leader of the labs looked before asking, "What's so unusual about it?"

"Well sir… I feel as though that this signal is not of our planet's origins it may in fact be alien." Xerosic state, as his voice became even more excited, "And its frequency matches that of the energies of both the Giant Rock and Mega Evolution. But in grander scales of energy; and they're appearing over most areas of Kalos."

Lysandre's eyes widened as he ordered, "Send a team as soon as you are available; it might be possible that the storm has revealed a possible new location for another Giant Rock for our plans."

"Yes, sir." Xerosic answered jovially, ended the call while Lysandre felt a smile on his face.


Cheattor and Foxfire looked while the Liepard said, "Uh oh… Energon, and it's gonna blow!"

Foxfire got up and asked, "Will pulling the post out prevent Energon from the blow?"

After translating what she meant, "Don't know but it's better than letting it explode."

He then went to grab hold of it, only for the energy surge to force him to let go with a yell. He then went and tried again, bearing through the pain as he groaned, "What I wouldn't give for an Endure move or at least a sturdy ability right 'bout now."

Foxfire tried to help, but Cheattor groaned, "No, I got it."

"You clearly do not 'got it'." She glared back and went to help him. Their struggle only cause the cracks to the Energon to become wider, forcing the pair away. This made Cheattor narrow his optics and go back to the post.

Cheetor growled, asking the overcharged post, flexing his arms like a boxer, "Okay, so you wanna play rough, eh?"

It zapped and cackled like it was responding to him as he went and grabbed hold again. Foxfire, seeing him having trouble, went to help him again. They both ignored the fact that jolts of energy surged through their bodies. As the energy flowed through their bodies, lightning bolts made contact with the post and the two Maximals. An instant later, both Cheattor and Foxfire went and vanished as if they used the psychic-type move of Teleport.


All the way on the Kanto/Johto mountains, inside of the Predacon base, The Darksyde, Terrasaur went to the activated console due to the storm raging outside. Most of the Predacons were bored or didn't have anything to do like hunting, searching for pods and Energon since the storm hit. Megatron and Ariadosus seemed more interested in the newscast involving some giant Pokémon battling over some giant rock… Terrasaur couldn't care less about that since, in his opinion, one good blast of his advance weapon and they would go down like anything else he blasted, especially how organics aren't as durable as his kind. If only the Maximals would go down as easily…

He was getting a good look at the console with the map, trying to get it working before Megatron attempted to use him as a systematic bypass. The console began lighting up and, before he could do anything, both Cheattor and Foxfire appeared on the console, groaning. The shockwave sent Terrasaur into some more hover platforms. Cheattor's vision was blurry as he asked, "Whoa… what's new pussycat? Where… where are we?"

"I do not know…" Foxfire answered, before realizing that their faces were mere inches from each other with her on top of him.

Before anything could happen, they heard a clearing of the throat and saw Terrasaur there, "Welcome to The Darksyde soon-to-be-deactivated lovebird."

"Terrasaur: TERRORIZE!" and then transformed into robot mode.

"Cheattor/Foxfire: MAXI-" The two began before realizing what forms they were in.

"I think we did that already…" Cheattor said, embarrassed. Which Foxfire nodded as they jumped out of the way of Terrasaur firing, damaging the screen to the computer console. Cheattor landed on another hover platform while Foxfire went and landed on another console. Foxfire seemed like the easier target to the Predacon goon, so he went aiming at her, "Losing focus there Fluffy?"

"How about you?!" Cheattor asked, pulling out his weapon and fired at the Aerodactyl Predacon. Terrasaur tried to avoid them before a blast of plasma-like fire went and hit the control handle. Causing Terrasaur to be flipped off and onto another platform.

Cheattor saw Foxfire had shot it out and using the handle on his platform went to hers, though initially having trouble and asks, "Need a lift, foxy-lady?"

She huffed as she was still upset by how he had treated her like she was a fragile piece of glass since the battle of the Power Plant. But the sounds of weapon fire caused her to lose control of her platform and was about to fall before being caught by Cheattor.

He helped her up, knowing that her Poké mode was a fire-type and heavily resistant to fire; she may not have that resistance to lava like those slugs and snails made up of lava… Foxfire remained still until she was on the platform.

"I heard you two were quick on your feet, kiddies. Guess you two don't seem all that swift to me." Terrasaur snickered, aiming at the pair.

Cheattor holstered his weapon and jabbed back, "Oh yeah? Wait till I get in shape first."

"POKÉ MODE!" he then pounced over Foxfire at Terrasaur, sending him into the console that the two Maximals appeared on and, just as they did, his body was filled with energy and in a flash, he disappeared too.

"My goodness." Foxfire breathed seeing that.

Cheattor however, "Whoa… cool."

He was impressed by what he saw. He then changed back looking at Foxfire and asked, "You okay?"

"I am perfectly unharmed thank you…" Foxfire huffed, turning away from him.

He sighed and said, "Let's get out of here."

"Very well." She said before they both piloted their platforms away, only for them to hear insect wings beating and the clamping of pincers. It was Skorupinok and Buzzinator! They must have heard their fighting and came to investigate.

"Ah oh…" both said even as Skorupinok shouted, "Skorupinok: TERRORIZE!"

"Buzzinator: TERRORIZE!" Buzzinator cried out, letting go of the Predacon Second-in-command onto a platform.

The two Predacons chased after the two Maximals. One good shot from Buzzinator's optic laser made Foxfire jump before it exploded. She jumped onto Cheattor's as they flew off.

Cheattor banked off a vent, which the Beedrill Predacon's laser hit the vent wall, leaving a hole for them.

Cheattor's and Foxfire's platform swerved near the hole where they could see it was big enough for them to run in Poké Mode. Looking back, Cheattor shouted to the Predacons, "Thanks for showin' us the way out, ya lamers!"

'Yes, thank you." Foxfire, added. They then shifted into Poké Mode and ran off in the vent.

Waspinator flew near the hole, while Scorponok came up on his platform, "They've gone into the vents. Report this to Megatron."

Waspinator shot back, "Mmeee-ee? You're zzzecond innn command!"

"So, make it an order!" Skorupinok shouted at him.


A second later, Terrasaur came back into existence, blinking, confused on the Maximal computer console, before looking around as he tried to get his bearings straight, ""Where'd those kids go!"

He then glanced around, only to find unfamiliar surroundings, "Where'd I go?"

"Welcome to enemy arms, my former comrade." Terrasaur turned to see the traitorous Kabutops standing there, who growled, "I hope you enjoy your stay..."

"Kabubot: MAXIMIZE!" Kabubot roared as he transformed, his head spinning as an effect. Now he'd have the chance to avenge the torture that Ash had suffered from the hands of the Predacons, personally.

Terrasaur growled, "I don't know how you brought me here traitor, but prepare to stain the-!"

The red Predacon's head was grabbed by his former comrade who noticed the computer console surging with energy. Intrigued, Kabubot growled, "Wait!"

He then took a closer look at the console and asked aloud, "Could it be that an accident of technology and nature has actually created a… instant teleporter?"

Getting his head out of the warrior's grip Terrasaur joined in, "An instant teleporter?"

"Oh, Yeah!" Terrasaur now got how the kids got in the base, "So that's how those two kids got in our base. Huh and I thought what Megatron ordered Ariadosus to do to that brat was genius, especially to break up the alliance between you guys just to make those annoying Team Rocket guys happy."

Kabubot was certainly surprised by this information, but a new plot simmered in his mind. He spoke, "And you here. Interesting development. Terrorsaur, perhaps a truce is in order."

Terrasaur smirked and he decided to go along with this as he thought of something better, "Yeah! Yeah, say! We can turn our truce into an alliance, Kabubot!"

Kabubot looked and asked, curious, "An alliance? To what end?"

"Think of the cosmic magnificence!" Terrasaur explained, looking at the taller bot, unaware of them begin watched by a certain Maximal, "Together, we'll overthrow these low-grade metal knock-offs you've joined, and then rule the Predacon and the organics of this world with two iron fists!"

With that exclamation, Terrasaur raised his fist. Kabubot smirked as he saw this and brought his fist close as the two fists touched and sparks flew as scarlet schemer squawked, "NOTHING CAN STOP US!"

Kabubot smirked, deciding to work this to his advantage while knowing that she'd be ready to strike when he had all he needed from the oversize-jawed numbskull.


Meanwhile, back at the Darksyde, Cheattor and Foxfire kept running as Buzzinator flew behind them shooting stinger shell after stinger shell into the vent, herding them to Skorupinok, his visor on infra-red to keep track of their heat signatures through the metal walls of the vents.

When they were in position, the Predacon S.I.C. aimed and fired a missile at the vent, telling him, "I have them! I have them!"

Cheattor and Foxfire looked and saw the missile coming at them from in front while Buzzinator came with his stingers from behind them.

"Shredded or sizzled: what a choice!" Cheattor complained as he saw both coming at them.

Foxfire however, charged ahead, Cheattor shouted, "Fox what you doing?"

"We must split up if we are to lose our pursuers!" She shouted back, as she ran flames erupted around her as she ran towards the missile Cheattor, guessing he asked, "You blown a circuit!? We need to stick together!"

She kept running, using the move that Ash had previously told her before his departure, a move called Flame Charge. As much as Cheattor wanted to stay with her and keep her safe… he was not as immune to fire as she was and ran in the direction of the stinger shells. Just as he narrowly jumped over the stinger, and Foxfire slid under the missile. The stinger and the missile, momentary confused by the contradiction of data in its heatseeking tech, was hit by a stinger causing an explosion that made both Maximals run as fast as possible with the speed increasing moves they had. The Predacons below… not so lucky. They were sent flying, hitting the remaining metal floor of their former ship.

Both Maximals ran as fast as possible while the explosion was on their heels. Cheattor however changed forms as they both ran until they hit the ends of the vents hitting the opposite walls as both groaned respectively,

"Coming through…"

"As Cheattor would say 'Final stop'..."


At the Maximal Base, Kabubot was getting all that he could from Terrasaur, walking in Poké Mode as they spoke. Kabubot then asked, approaching the garbage disposal pods, "… and by simply coming in contact with the communication console, this initiated the transport?"

"That's all I did, nothing to it." Terrasaur reported, looking at Kabubot, unaware of the hidden smirk on Kabubot's face.

"Excellent. Then I should have no difficulty duplicating the procedure again, without you." Kabubot told him, even as he rubbed his sickle blades together.

"What're you-" Terrasaur tried to ask, only for a certain cotton-covered rabbit Pokémon to fly in with her ears using him as a punching bag. The impact made Terrasaur into the garbage disposal while Kabubot forced him in with a stomp of his foot. Cotton-Buns jumped and slammed the lid shut trapping Terrasaur inside, who screamed from within, trying to get out by banging his wing-like fists against it, "HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? WE'RE PARTNERS!"

"In case you haven't realized, Fossil brain. I am not always a team player. Especially when such a teammate was involved in the torment of a child!" Kabubot growled, getting the attention of Cotton-Buns. Seemed like he was more upset about Ash's group leaving than he thought.

Terrasaur was confused, "Wait… you're betraying me because of some snot-nosed kid?!"

"We'll let you figure that one out." Kabubot growled before pulling the lever down, flushing Terrasaur out where he was met with the lightning due to his proximity to the sky and rock-type properties of his Poké Mode which charbroiled him before he hit the ground far from the Maximal base.

Kabubot exited the corridor with Cotton-Buns behind him. When they reached the main corridor, the two stopped, startled as Optimus, still in Poké Mode, came around the corner looking at the two, "Kabubot, Cotton-Buns. The survey posts are missing, as are Cheattor and Foxfire. Do either of you know anything about this?"

Cotton-Buns was about to speak when Kabubot spoke, "Ah, so that's what they were doing out there."

"What are you talking about?" Optimus asked frustrated. While Cotton-Buns asked, whispering, "Yeah… what are you talking about?"

"I… intercepted a message on Predacon frequency to Team Rocket command; it told how a lightning strike on one of our survey posts teleported Cheattor and Foxfire to the Predacon Base all the way to the Kanto Region. Regrettable, Yes… They are most likely have been destroyed by Megatron."

"NOOO!" Optimus cried out, blaming himself for what happened to them as he did with Ash being tortured by Ariadosus. He could not believe that Megatron took the lives of his two teammates as well.

Kabubot added, seeing the anger building in his leader, "The message also told of how Megatron had ordered Ariadosus to target Ash specifically to ruin the alliance we have with the Pokémon trainer and his group to keep them from arresting anymore of the grunts of that human organization."

"WHAT!?" Optimus shouted. He had assumed it was Ariadosus' sick means of getting kicks but he did not think Megatron would target a child… Optimus let out a roar that was clearly heard throughout the base, pounding his chest like a Slaking at how Megatron merely target Ash for doing the right thing, promising, 'Megatron will pay for this… I promise you.'

"Take heart in the fact of the sacrifices we suffered that we have been furnished with a way to defeat our enemies and avenge our comrades!" Kabubot growled, tightening his scythe blades to his arms, which seemed to be a Kabutop's equivalent of a clenched fist.

"How?" Optimus asked, ignoring Cotton-Buns' trying to talk to him.

"Somehow, the posts, the storm, and the energon, had all comprised to create an instant teleporter. Connecting our comm room to theirs." Kabubot answered, "We can beam the explosive right into the heart of Megatron's lair, ending this war before more innocents suffer."

Optimus was beginning to think about this… but then said, "I'll get the bomb. Kabubot meet me in the comm room while Cotton-Buns tells the others what happened."

"As you command, Optimus," Kabubot answered. He picked the girl Buneary up and went to the comm-room as instructed. As he walked away, Kabubot thoughts turned to Ash. The human was a boy who clearly loved the Pokémon species found on this planet, and was an honorable child for his age as well as a great strategist while on his feet as a trainer. Qualities that Kabubot respected. Doing this for him would allow the warrior to repay the debt he owed Ash back when the two first met, but also the destruction of his enemy Megatron.


Cheattor, since separating from Foxfire, was trying to find her when he saw Buzzinator and Skorupinok looking for the Maximal intruders. Once they were out of ear shot of him, he went out of his hiding place, looking for the Fennekin maximal before seeing a computer.

"Well… as long as I'm here. Might as well roll with it." Cheattor said as he accessed the computer while searching for useful information, "Like coping maps of Energon deposits on this continent or locations of other Team Rocket Bases for the feds-"

He then stopped and asked, "What the?"

He looked at the map of the planet and all their regions, "Show Maximal base perimeter on the Kalos Region's Continent, overlay it with human settlements and add Energon deposits."

And what he saw terrified him, as it showed the same Energon vein, while deep, was still in reach of the bases as it branched off to reach places over the world, Pallet Town, Vanville Town, Luminos City, and other places in every region of the world.

"The same vein under both bases AND every region? A large enough explosion at either base would destroy everything…"

He knew how Ash was upset with them… but he hopes that this'll prove the kid wrong when they meet up again.

"Gotta warn Optimus…" he then ordered the computer, "Make copy."

Taking the ejected disc, he heard, "THERE HE IS!"


Scythcutter flew with Croaker hopping after him looking for the intruders at one part of the base while Buzzinator and Skorupinok searched another.

Foxfire came out of her hiding spot and ducked behind a door. She exhaled, thinking she was safe before realizing that she was at the armory… An explosion could set the base off with her and Cheattor inside.

"Yo dawg, hold up."

Foxfire froze as she heard Croaker behind the door.

"What is it? Is it the Maximals?" Scythcutter asked.

"Nah, nothing like that. Just need to talk is all." Croaker waved his arm dismissing the concerns.

"Then spit it out, Lord Megatron wants them found now." Scythecutter snapped.

"Okay, okay sheesh… What I wanted to ask is yer thoughts on what the boss made spiderguy do to the kid?" Croaker asked, causing Foxfire to widen her eyes in shock at this revelation.

"It was an… underhanded tactic to say the least." Scythecutter admitted, "To target a child just to appease the human leader of Team Rocket…"

"Fer real. But at least it got them brats out of this so we can have a better time looking for more pods and beating Maximals. 'specially with that huge cannon clampy found then." Croaker confessed as he hopped away. His tone more pleasant now

She heard Scythecutter sigh and mutter, "And these are my brethren?"

Before following him away. Foxfire breathed heavily, as she took this information in… Serena… and Fennekin leaving because of Megatron wanting them break ties with her team?

Foxfire then remembered how that entire thing started because of the Mega-cannon that Cheattor reported Skorupinok found at the desert area of Kalos… Looking around she saw some explosives that were laying about and her expression hardened, knowing what she must do.


Cheattor smirked at how he got out of the mess with Buzzinator and Skorupinok having the missile follow him until he made them the target instead of him.

He heard a platform flying over to him and saw Foxfire with a satisfied expression on her face, "Hey Fox you look better."

"Yes I am, thank you for asking, Cheattor." Foxfire said smiling, "I believe I have found it very… Cathartic."

"Okay then, let's take these cool mammals home!" he then pulled out the data disc and tossed it to the console. Before Foxfire could ask what, it was for, it flashed, taking the disc back to Maximal base. When it finished, they saw what was it was replaced with, making Cheattor terrified, "Holy cat's meow… it's the bomb…"

"Good, then we can make our escape the old-fashioned way." Foxfire said, turning the platform away only for Cheattor to stop her, shouting, "Listen, I know things have been rough between us Fox, but we can't let this bomb go off!"

"What're you talking about?" Foxfire asked, confused by the fear she saw in Cheattor's eyes.

He then declared pointing at it, "The only way to keep everyone from being destroyed, is to disarm that bomb!"


Kabubot was about to put the bomb on the console for it to be teleported to the Predacon base. Before he was able to place it, he heard Optimus shout, "Wait!"

Turning, he looked at Optimus who asked, "You're positive that the detonation countdown will be enough for the Predacons to flee the base?"

"Thirty seconds will be sufficient. Any longer even by another second would give them, particularly the saboteur Heliosneak, time to disarm or reprogram it back against us." Kabubot explained, knowing how the latest addition to the enemy force could be able to do so with ease just as how he had at the Kalos Power Plant.

Optimus sighed, mentally admitting that he was right and told the former-Predacon, "Proceed…"

If Kabubot was able to show the sinister smile he was feeling, it would be apparent on his face how he felt about doing this, but placing the bomb he thought, 'For Ash…'

As he did the bomb would extend the anchor legs out, even as the energy enveloped the bomb.

As the bomb was sent to the Predacon base, the two looked and saw something in its place. Optimus grabbed it while Kabubot asked, "What is it?"

"A data disc." He then sniffed it eyes wide, "It has both Cheattor and Foxfire's scents on it."

This made both Kabubot and Cotton-Buns surprised to hear this; the news gave the youngest Maximal hope that they were still online. Optimus pushed it into the computer and ordered, "Play this, now."


"I can't believe they sent the bomb…" Cheattor groaned, before telling her, "We need to get out of here before it blows the planet all the way to Cybertron!"

Just as he was about to, Cheattor felt a muzzle to his head and Foxfire felt something similar behind her back, and a familiar voice from behind Terrasaur shouted, "Freeze freckles!"

Behind the Liepard was Terrasaur, who… somehow… was able to make it back to the contenant that housed Johto, Kanto, and Sinnoh, and teleport the rest of the way back without getting himself put offline from the storm. While Foxfire was held from behind by Heliosneak.

Looking over his shoulder, Terrasaur spoke, "It's just as I said, Megatron. One bomb and two cubs, C.O.D."

Megatron kept his expression neutral; apparently Terrasaur literally pulling him out of watching the battle between Pokémon versions of the Titans wasn't such a deletion-wish after all.

"Do not attempt to escape, young ones." Megatron told the two before ordering, "Heliosneak, disarm the bomb."

Foxfire was knocked to the side as the Predacon saboteur opened the top of the bomb's casing, even as the younger maximal shouted, "There's no time, it's anchored!"

"He's right chief, it's gonna blow in twenty seconds." Heliosneak reported, which made Terrasaur scream, his eye twitching in fear.

Foxfire then asked, "Can we not disarm it for you?"

"She's right. I can release the anchors and granite breath can fly it out of range. But in return release Foxfire, she had nothing to do with this bomb!" Cheattor said, trying to get Megatron to see reason. The Predacon leader contemplated this even as the bomb began counting down from ten. He looked at Heliosneak who nodded seeing no danger in doing it for them.

Knowing there was no time, Megatron agreed and ordered Cheattor, "Do it, but if you attempt anything, your girlfriend will suffer for this."

Cheattor, ignoring the remark of Foxfire being his girlfriend, knocked Terrasaur out of the way as he began working. Foxfire was released by Heliosneak who went to Megatron's side while watching them.

The bomb's timer was on to four seconds now. Cheetor spoke aloud to the bomb, "C'mon, you remember me? Old fumble fingers?" Then suddenly, the anchor clamps withdrew into the device. As the last of the wires necessary to release the anchors was cut, they watched as the anchor legs let go of the computer console. Cheattor grabbed it and tossed it as high as shouting to Terrasaur, "Go!"

Terrasaur transformed and grabbed it in his talons before flying as high as possible, as fast as possible, into the sky even as the bomb reached one.

And exploded. All in the Predacon base watched the explosion's light fade and the echo of Terrasaur's scream of a squawk was heard, Megatron turned to the two teenagers and glowered, "And now… as for you two…"

"Sorry but we gotta scat!" He then picked Foxfire up in his arms, holding her bridal style as she remarked, "have a dreadful day with your cannon."

Megatron growled, as he and Heliosneak fired all weapons at the two maximals, only for Cheattor and Foxfire to touch the console and disappear in the usual flash of light. Megatron unknowingly destroyed the one teleporter that was in direct contact with the maximal base. Before Megatron thought about getting it repaired, Terrasaur landed on the console and groaned, his body smoking from the explosion, "Ahh… Scrap… Not again…"

The Tyrantrum Predacon growled before the base rocked violently and groaned, "now what?!"

"Yo, Ah… Boss? We got a problem! One of those Maxi-chumps blew the mega-cannon we had… it's kaput worse than Voltorb explosion!" Croaker reported from the comms.

Megatron was positively lived when he heard that, understanding what the she-Maximal meant before they left.


Cheattor and Foxfire materialized on top of the maximal comms console, unaware that as the two of them passed through the posts they planted, each one by one was overloaded with the energy of them using the posts like electricity in a wire. This caused the posts to explode becoming nothing more than pieces of broken metal and wiring.

The Maximals assembled in the room turned to see them while they were previously looking at the map that Cheattor discovered. Smiling at them, Cheattor greeted, "hiya cats, did you miss us?"

Time passed and after testing to see if the console would still teleport them to the Predacon base, they found it no longer worked as a teleporter. During which the two filled in the others on what happened after getting to the pred base and their discoveries, the storm ended.

All of the Maximals were there as Rhynox told them, "Hey you two, we got your disc, you both saved us from ourselves. Thanks."

Absoltron nodded, "Yes, who knew that the same vein could stretch as far as to every region of this planet."

"Yeah, you might've stepped in it kids, but you both certainly came out smelling like a Roselia." Ratitrap commented.

"Especially since someone goes digging through garbage as much as you have." Cotton-Buns jabbed, making Ratitrap glower, comically, in response…

Airblazor approached and asked, "You two sure you're both okay?"

Foxfire, for the first time since the Power Plant battle, nodded, feeling cathartic, "Yes, thank you friend Blazor."

Airblazor, though happy that Foxfire was feeling better, she can't help but be a bit concerned by how she was able to do so while at the Predacon base.

After seeing Kabubot skulk away, Cheattor looked over to Optimus and said, "Sorry we disobeyed your orders Big Bot."

Foxfire nodded, "Indeed, I too apologize. I just could not think or act in full functionality with the tragedy of losing our friends. Please forgive us Optimus."

Optimus sighed, "I understand what you have gone through Foxfire, but there are better ways to solve through what's troubling you than to seek immediately retaliation. You both had always had my respect when we first me and how you have been willing to keep others safe during our battle with the Predacons and Team Rocket."

This made made them smile at their leader's words, "And you both did save the day by revealing this critical piece of information we were previously unaware of."

His face then became sterned again as he stated, "Let me make one thing perfectly clear to you Cheattor, if you ever put a stunt like this again, nearly risking exposing ourselves and the lives of our teammates again. I'll put your tail in a sling!"

"Okay, okay! I won't do it again!" Cheattor said, really not wanting his tail in a sling. Before remarking, "Until the next time."

And raced out of the room with a laughing Cotton-Buns, and Foxfire after him. Ratitrap couldn't stop himself laughing by how funny that was. The others began to laugh one by one, even the usually stoic Absoltron joined in. Optimus' glare broke into a smile, figuring out Cheattor's joke, and he joined in the jolly laughter as well, which was echoed throughout the base.


Meanwhile…

At one of the sites of the Survey posts, several men and women in red suits were expecting the area while a man with a shaved head, inverted suit color and glasses, turned and said, "Xerosic, sir. This is all we could find."

As one of the red-suited men rolled the remains of the device to the head scientist. The short, somewhat obese man looked curiously, "Hmm… I'll need to study this more thoroughly back at our headquarters."

He then pulled out a device and held it above the remains, which began to beep, "However, it seems that this device was powered by the same energy that my equipment discovered…"

"Sir!" one of the red-suited grunts shouted, standing over a crater, "You may want to take a look at this!"

Many of the other members and the white suited admins hurried as the man with goggles approached and what they saw shocked, or surprised them. It certainly fascinated Xerosic. Down below was the raw Energon crystals that was unearth during the Storm of the Century. The scanner he had was picking up so much of the Energon's energy that it broke in the scientist's hand. Xerosic grinned with a twisted glee as he thought, knowing how their leader was able to retrieve the giant rock in Hoenn, 'Lysandre will be pleased by this discovery.'


(Let me ask you did anyone feel the jolts from this chapter? no pun intended. but yes this is how the Maximals find out as to why Megatron had Ariadosus do that stuff to Ash. And as you saw it's not going well with them. Especially since the reprocussions were the loss of that Mega Cannon that the Maximals have been worried about since Skorupinok found it some chapters back. But also that Lysandre and his group became aware of Energon,

As you no doubt are aware, I mentioned the storm from the Pokémon 2000 movie as the storm was reaching all around the world when it was going on. and like how Dawn stated in Ash's journey through UNova, a year passed since Ash began his adventures since he just went from Kanto to the archipelago, to Johto, to Hoenn, and Sinnoh before Ash arrived in Unova. It makes more sense to believe that Ash is now eleven years old than keep him the same age since his tenth birthday. I'm not saying they should speed through his youth, heaven (& Arceus) knows no one wants that to actually happen. So yeah, in my Story Ash, and everyone who appeared since the anime started from Kanto to Sinnoh are a year older than when they first were introduced.

What will happen to our Maximal heroes now that this mysterious Lysandre and his organization are getting involved? Stay Tuned, as the Journey Continues.)